A new year

We've just returned from our Europe vacation and it was everything we hoped it would be and more. After spending Christmas with both families first in Richmond Hill then Montreal, we boarded our plane for Europe during a crazy Quebec storm 3 hours late and barely made our connection flight through London! It was quite the adventure running through Heathrow airport with the kids with collective hearts pounding. Amazingly, we got on our connection flight to Zagreb, Croatia with mere minutes to spare - and even more incredible, our luggage arrived as well!

Our first stop was Cakovec, Croatia and the kids were amazed at how many "cousins" there were to meet. At each visit the kids didn't want to leave (a sure sign they were having a good time), it was great fun and we were welcomed and treated like royalty. Thanks so much to everyone for making our visit so memorable. I'm proud of my family in Croatia and you were all amazing especially Pero and Zeljka for co-ordinating all our visits with relatives and making our trip perfect! Kathryn was also great with booking and arranging everything.

Next was Zurich, Switzerland, a city I've been to many times and always loved. We spent New Years Eve and a relaxing 4 days there. Zurich is a beautiful, clean city and it was nice spending some time there.

Finally, we arrived in Paris and Anika was able to fulfill her dream of seeing the Eiffel Tower and she was not to be disappointed. We had a fantastic lunch in the Eiffel Tower restaurant something we will always remember. It was a lot of fun exploring Paris with the kids and showing them how fun and interesting it can be to explore a new country and city. We got a tour of the Louvre and explored Montmartre and Sacré Coeur Basilica.

It was nice to see our kids enjoy and appreciate the same things that we do such as the great food of Paris. Every restaurant, pastry shop, and coffee shop was fantastic!

Although we did have a great time and enjoyed it very much, it was a challenge for me at times. The current cancer medications that I am on make me very drowsy and being off the Dexamethasone has been a factor. The back pain is unbearable at times as I'm sometimes unable to walk because of my spinal compression fracture, but hopefully this will soon be rectified or at least alleviated upon my return.

Before I left I received good news as my PSA levels are down from over 1,000 to 40 which means the cancer medications are working so far. The bad news is that if the back pain persists then I will require surgery.

It was an emotional roller coaster ride with fatigue, depression and pain mixed in with a truly memorable experience with my family. It was great to see our kids enjoy travel as much as Kathryn and I do. It was fun doing simple things like spending time together talking, learning, taking photographs, and laughing.

As the saying goes "nothing worthwhile is easy". As hard as it was at times physically for me, it was an experience we will never forget so well worth it.

In terms of cancer treatment, the plan is to continue on the current path using hormone-based drugs and injections and monitor the results. Prostate cancer cells feed on testosterone so that is the current plan, and there is no telling how long this can be effective so we need to just re-evaluate and adjust the strategy as we go. 

Despite the persistent fatigue and chronic back pain, I am still optimistic and am enjoying each day as it comes. It's amazing how small things can bring you joy: watching your kids get excited about exploring a new city, seeing them using the french they've learned in school by ordering in a Parisian restaurant (and see how much the waiter/waitress appreciate this!), watching them take turns playing songs on the piano with cousins they've just met, and just seeing them enjoy life because that's what it's all about in the end. This was my 4th visit to Paris but by far the most important and memorable.

At this point I just need to focus on what I need to do to get better. I admit it's not always easy to remain positive and I've definitely had my moments. I'm not going to lie, the last few weeks have been tough.

As I look out the window of the airplane on our flight home from Paris - Toronto, I think about how lucky I've been to have travelled to so many countries - almost 40 in total - for both work and play. As I gaze out the window, Shayne points to the gorgeous sky and yells out "look out there it's amazing daddy get the camera out right now". All I can do is smile and feel incredibly happy and proud.

 The view from the Eiffel Tower in Paris, France